ranslated by Coke
Edited by Coke
Early the following day, Miao He woke up earlier than Yang Dalang and cooked a pot of egg porridge with green onions and spare ribs as toppings for the two of them. Green onions provided various helpful benefits for a sick person, such as inducing the body to produce more sweat, dispelling phlegm, relieving fever, and serving as an antibacterial agent. Said onion could also aid digestion. The kitchen contained fresh eggs, neatly stacked, in a basket that Second Aunt Yang harvested from their backyard. The ingredients used for the porridge were uncomplicated to use.
Miao He blanched the ribs Second Aunt Yang gave yesterday and simmered it first. During this period, he went to the backyard to plant green onions in the living soil, washed the leftover rice at home, and threw it directly into the soup. When he finished with those, he pulled out the green onion he harvested and chopped it into fine round strips. The strips of the onion fell down the pot of porridge as the knife swiftly cut across the chopping board and soon followed by four pieces of eggs, leaving it to boil. A pot of green onions, spare rib strips, and egg porridge was served soon after.
He specifically cut the onions in small parts, hoping Dalang could eat all the green onions seamlessly. The food grown by the living soil should help Yang Dalang recover from his injuries faster. Though he cooked the porridge with no such plan in the ingredients, it still smelled wonderful. Miao He observed Yang Dalang’s eating in relish, and he mimicked the latter’s actions unknowingly. The hearty bowls of porridge warmed up the exhausted souls of yesterday.
After eating, Miao He sorted out the things sent by the Liang Family.
Liang’s carriage came from the town, and many people have witnessed their grand procession; well, only for the villagers. If everyone knew that this was compensation for the severe injury Dalang sustained, then if one received good things, he would have to hand a few gifts to the relatives and friends based on the village customs. Second Aunt Yang and Shi Ruqing came to the town to visit and asked about their conditions. In a logical sense, they had to pick up two or three items as gifts because of their closeness with Dalang.
Miao He opened the boxes one by one, as Yang Dalang remained in the bedroom to rest.
Few fresh items were included in inventory when he scanned everything that was prone to damage and spoilt, if not well-preserved before traveling on the road. One of those was a basket of uncommon fruits that contained litchi, mangosteen, and passion fruit from the south. Despite all the trinkets he had seen, the one that thrilled Miao He was the fruits as the seed in them could be extracted and planted. And they could eat as much as they want in the future.
As for the dried goods, there was a box of supplementary medicinal materials like the Angelica star anise, a box of dried fish, seaweed, dried shrimps, and other rare sea dried goods. The presence of cakes made of various dried fruits, plus a walnut cake and jujube cakes, was also given in a magnanimous bearing. In this era, when people were still yet to develop into the world of processed products, those delicacies were high-end snacks.
What truly touched best the heart of Miao He was the bag of rice, the sack of white flour, and a bucket of flax oil. When they went to the town that day, these bags of items ended up spilled. For ordinary people, this part held the most practical and thoughtful things to receive. A soft quilt and few pieces of cloth were added, although were inexpensive materials, still, the new one alone was good enough.
A strange gift looked spectacular because of the large-volume presents he first saw. Miao He picked up the small wooden box inside, weighed it in his hands, and suspicions arose from his heart as the small box was heavy. His face turned cold and stony; he stood up and carried the box inside to look for Yang Dalang.
“Look at this.” Miao He handed the suspicious box to Yang Dalang. “Sent by the Liang Family.”
Although painful, Dalang’s face was devoid of pain as he reached out, took the box, and placed it on his lap. The small wooden box had a tiny latch that secured the inside from pouring out at unpredictable times. He clicked the mechanism open, revealing the ambiguous contents before them. Soft, almost velvety fabric lined the inside of the box, sheltering the neatly stacked pieces of twenty taels of silver that seemed to glow even with dim lighting. In response to the lives of the furen and the gongzi of the Liang family, it may be a bit lacking, but under the silvers pressed three land deeds within.
Yang Dalang’s eyes shook, recognizing the words written in the papers. He may not know how to write, he could identify the frequently used words.
“Where is the land? Is it too valuable?” Although Miao He had stayed in this world for some time now, he did not know the location of the land titles.
“One is a hilltop in the village’s southwest. The other two are fields outside the town.”
“Mountain top?! You mean—an entire mountain?!” Miao He’s eyes widened as he stared at the papers unblinking, then shifting to Dalang’s calm ones in slow motion.
“Just a small seat1,” Dalang said, a slight smile in his eyes as he gazed at the adorable ones of his ger.
Miao He gaped at him. He spent a few seconds fumbling through words and said, “The fields are easy to understand, but gifting a hill… for hunting?”
Yang Dalang became silent. Gears spun on the head pretty fast as he pondered about this matter. His eyes met Miao He’s now calm ones and shared his speculation.
It should stand to reason that there were quite a few people who sold pieces of land in Miaojia Village, and one of those lands’ titles had already presented itself in their own hands. The Liang family wanted to give their fields for a while; they could only offer those situated outside the town; hence, the lands’ locations. In the landlord’s family, it was nearly impossible and challenging to cultivate the ground by themselves. After all, say that the land was rented, the journey probably took lots of hours to reach it, just so they could collect the rent. It could only add a few taels in the income for a year after deducting the tax.
Perhaps the Liang family added the hill nearby the Miaojia Village just to make up for it. Mountains and fields were different; basically, no one in the right mind had the nerve to buy them, and since their taxes were pretty low, too. But if someone had the money to pay for it, then they must sell it! This could be the case why the Liang family simply purchased the mountaintop closest to Yang Dalang’s house and sent it over as a gift.
“It’s tough to understand rich people.” Miao He sighed, “Should we accept it? So many places.”
“Accept. People will not be at ease if you don’t,” Yand Dalang said.
When Miao He heard the words, he agreed it was only suitable to accept them. If they gave it away, it would only show that they were belittling those gifts that the Liang family gave out of gratitude. Miao He was afraid of receiving the ridicule of the villagers since he was not only appealing to himself but Dalang too. Compared to the landlords, their lives were worth little. With the heavy and magnanimous gifts, they held evidence that safeguarded the Liang Family not turning their backs on Miao He.
“Then, when your injury heals, I will go to town and transfer ownership of the title deeds,” said Miao He, carefully tucking the wooden box away.
Around this time, Yang Datong’s voice was heard shouting at their door. He kept true to his words and thoughtfully brought the recliner to their house.
The heavy chair frame originally was a thick timber that underwent lots of carvings, sawing, sanding, and polishing by the skillful hands of Datong in less than a day. Dalang’s brother worked hard last night and seemed to only have a couple of hours of sleep because of the bags under his eyes. It did not affect his enthusiasm at all, as he transported the heavy frame to his cousin’s home.
The sweaty Yang Datong asked where he should assemble it. The room held little space for the recliner, Miao He thought. Yang Dalang glanced at his ger, then to his cousin, and expressed his opinion as he pointed to the stove’s location in the backyard.
There was sunshine in the morning and shade in the afternoon; both stove and backyard could be seen again if placed there. Those spots were Miao He did most of his activities, Dalang would see them all. After a momentary pause, Miao He nodded.
After Yang Datong nailed the wooden chair, it looked like the reclining chair in Miao He’s world. The slope of the chair’s back was slanted enough to accommodate Yang Dalang to stay seated up. Dalang rested steadily on top, felt more comfortable than him bending down to get off the bed yesterday.
Second Aunt Yang also deliberately dismantled an old cotton-padded jacket, hurried out to complete a set of chair cushions by hand last night for Dalang to feel snug when lying down. With such care, no wonder Yang Dalang respected his aunt so much.
When everything was assembled, Yang Dalang settled down on the cushioned chair; the creases between his brows smoothed out instantly. Miao He felt elated when he saw this and had the urge to tease. “From now on, you are promoted to lao ye¹.”
As his hands caressed the handle, Yang Dalang praised earnestly, “Very comfortable.”
Yang Datong scratched his head, red creeping upon his neck, and said with a smile tugging on his lips, “I tried it last night and felt good. In the future, I could have one at home and put it under the tree to feel as cozy as my dage3.”
Miao He had an idea and said, “There are more designs of comfortable chairs; Dalang is injured right now, so it’s inconvenient to sit. You can try changing the legs of this chair to this shape, which is curved, and the back connected like this. In this way, the chair would rock while you sit.” Miao He drew a simple image on the floor as a guide.
Yang Datong had a fair share of building furniture; he made out the knack at once. “Ah, you can also do this? I haven’t seen this kind of chair yet—won’t I turn over?”
“Maybe it depends on the carpentry skill.” Miao He pretended to be confused. “I’ve never seen one. If you can build it, then it’s likely to become a new business.”
Upon the new idea from Miao He, Datong’s eyes shined with impatientness to try it. “Yes. My master must not have known such a chair based on what he thought of me. I will try it when I return. If it turned out great, then I’ll definitely send one to sister-in-law after!”
Leaving a few more words, Yang Datong walked out of their door with a joyous heart. After his cousin went, sure enough, Dalang’s eyes carried a trace of inquiry.
Miao He touched his nose subconsciously and spoke first, “You just stay here as I show something you’ll eventually discover, which I also used to take care of your injury. Understand?”
Yang Dalang stayed still and furrowed. “What?”
“Just watch.”
When he felt he had emphasized his intention, Miao He went to the stove and took out a small cloth bag with seeds. His heart was full of uncertainty as he headed to the edge of the soil. Miao He sucked in a quiet breath, picked up the fastest-growing cabbage seed, and planted it.
Yang Dalang followed Miao He with wary eyes—the latter stood still after planting the cabbage seed and kept his eyes fixed on the ground before his feet. With his actions shouted weird, the suspicions of the former intensified more, and he couldn’t help followed Miao He’s target of sight.
The earth that freshly buried a vegetable seed, a tiny sprout, drew out the surface as time passed!
That soon followed by tender leaves! The young leaves seemed to be under a spell as they grew, stretched, and unfolded at speed, visible to the naked eye!
In a blink of an eye, a lustrous, healthy cabbage sprung up out of bare earth!
Upon seeing this miraculous growth, Yang Dalang’s expression morphed in marvel, and he tried to sit up despite the pain. “This—this is…you….”
Horrified, Miao He shook both his head and hands hastily, as he whitewashed himself, “I didn’t make it. This piece of land is magical! Whatever you plant in it, it sure will bloom at lightning speed. Other vegetables I grow are normal. I can let you see it for yourself!”
Finishing his disclaimer, Miao He felt his energy dropping as he took a breath from his in haste talking. He was still unused to fabricating things in front of Dalang especially, when the truth may come out unpredictable. He first plucked a leaf from the plant, and soon, another vegetable leaf twisted and unfurled back from the plucked side. As if no yanking had happened.
Miao He then walked up a few steps further in the small field, spotted his target, and did his deed. A few days ago, this cabbage had reached its prime peak and looked exactly like the other cabbages. He picked off a leaf, held it in his hand, as he remained still outside, and screamed inside. Minutes of waiting passed. The ripped side did not grow a new leaf like the previous one.
“See, it’s just there. You—ai! Don’t get too excited. Take your time.” His speech deviated halfway when he saw Yang Dalang struggling to get up and hurried over to support.
Perhaps it was the work of injury, but Yang Dalang’s complexion turned pale in pain. He couldn’t help leaning back down instead. But, his hand firmly caught hold of Miao He and said, “Really?”
Miao He couldn’t help feeling guilty and nimbly avoided his gaze. “Just—that’s all.”
This was Miao He’s plan. He opted to share this matter with Dalang, but as long as he did not draw the magic on himself, who would have thought the magic on the grounds had something to do with him? Optimistic Miao He thought to himself.
Yang Dalang, in contrast, felt a dull ache in his chest. “Will you leave? Tell me honestly.”
“Leave? For what reason should I leave?” This was not what Miao had expected at all.
“Yang Dalang squeezed his hand tighter and the knuckles whiter. “I’m not interested in that gods’ work, I ask you, will you leave?”
Miao He gaped at him, dumbfounded.
‘… So, he still reveals his stuff, ah. Why?’
“Miao He, will you?!” Yang Dalang was anxious by the motionless ger.
Miao He broke out from his stupor and shook his head in intuition. “No. Where shall I go?”
“If you won’t, then you’ll stay?!”
When he heard Yang Dalang’s asked again, Miao He realized this was indeed freaked-out.
He thought through from the beginning—Yang Dalang thought he was ‘mystifying’ and inquired if he would leave. Did he think he was a god? Miao He did not know whether to laugh or cry.
But considering it again, the keyed-up person in front of him thought he couldn’t walk by himself alone. The matters of soil seemed to have little importance when Miao He left. And Dalang’s focus was concentrated on Miao He being a god. Then and there, Miao He felt that Yang Dalang’s ancient-related thoughts were adorable.
With his heart heating, Miao He couldn’t help replying, “I-I am your ger. Naturally, I won’t leave you.”
Yang Dalang’s orbs gaze at Miao He with such scorching depth, “Good! You promised.”
Miao He repeatedly nodded, appeasing the worried man in front of him, still wanting to remedy it.
“But I’m really not a god, so let go of that idea. Otherwise, why would you sustain such injuries? And even I was hurt? Also, when I grow wrinkles, you’ll know that I am human and not a god, and that piece of land has nothing to do with me! I just discovered it by accident, and look, I’m standing far from the field, yet isn’t it still right there—”
As he spoke in haste, a faint flush of light was enough for them to pause and stare at the specific place. A small lump of soil emerged from Miao He’s palm!
Yang Dalang pulled his hand closer, and the innocent ball of soil was magnified enough to see its dense throughs.
Miao He: “…”
Yang Dalang: “……”
Seeing that Yang Dalang’s expression was about to change again, Miao He quickly hugged Yang Dalang’s head. “If you don’t drive me away, then I won’t leave!”
Although bewildered, Yang Dalang raised both hands and reciprocated to embrace his ger regardless of the pain.
Footnotes:
[1] lao ye means master or like the head of the family
ranslated by Coke
Edited by Coke
Early the following day, Miao He woke up earlier than Yang Dalang and cooked a pot of egg porridge with green onions and spare ribs as toppings for the two of them. Green onions provided various helpful benefits for a sick person, such as inducing the body to produce more sweat, dispelling phlegm, relieving fever, and serving as an antibacterial agent. Said onion could also aid digestion. The kitchen contained fresh eggs, neatly stacked, in a basket that Second Aunt Yang harvested from their backyard. The ingredients used for the porridge were uncomplicated to use.
Miao He blanched the ribs Second Aunt Yang gave yesterday and simmered it first. During this period, he went to the backyard to plant green onions in the living soil, washed the leftover rice at home, and threw it directly into the soup. When he finished with those, he pulled out the green onion he harvested and chopped it into fine round strips. The strips of the onion fell down the pot of porridge as the knife swiftly cut across the chopping board and soon followed by four pieces of eggs, leaving it to boil. A pot of green onions, spare rib strips, and egg porridge was served soon after.
He specifically cut the onions in small parts, hoping Dalang could eat all the green onions seamlessly. The food grown by the living soil should help Yang Dalang recover from his injuries faster. Though he cooked the porridge with no such plan in the ingredients, it still smelled wonderful. Miao He observed Yang Dalang’s eating in relish, and he mimicked the latter’s actions unknowingly. The hearty bowls of porridge warmed up the exhausted souls of yesterday.
After eating, Miao He sorted out the things sent by the Liang Family.
Liang’s carriage came from the town, and many people have witnessed their grand procession; well, only for the villagers. If everyone knew that this was compensation for the severe injury Dalang sustained, then if one received good things, he would have to hand a few gifts to the relatives and friends based on the village customs. Second Aunt Yang and Shi Ruqing came to the town to visit and asked about their conditions. In a logical sense, they had to pick up two or three items as gifts because of their closeness with Dalang.
Miao He opened the boxes one by one, as Yang Dalang remained in the bedroom to rest.
Few fresh items were included in inventory when he scanned everything that was prone to damage and spoilt, if not well-preserved before traveling on the road. One of those was a basket of uncommon fruits that contained litchi, mangosteen, and passion fruit from the south. Despite all the trinkets he had seen, the one that thrilled Miao He was the fruits as the seed in them could be extracted and planted. And they could eat as much as they want in the future.
As for the dried goods, there was a box of supplementary medicinal materials like the Angelica star anise, a box of dried fish, seaweed, dried shrimps, and other rare sea dried goods. The presence of cakes made of various dried fruits, plus a walnut cake and jujube cakes, was also given in a magnanimous bearing. In this era, when people were still yet to develop into the world of processed products, those delicacies were high-end snacks.
What truly touched best the heart of Miao He was the bag of rice, the sack of white flour, and a bucket of flax oil. When they went to the town that day, these bags of items ended up spilled. For ordinary people, this part held the most practical and thoughtful things to receive. A soft quilt and few pieces of cloth were added, although were inexpensive materials, still, the new one alone was good enough.
A strange gift looked spectacular because of the large-volume presents he first saw. Miao He picked up the small wooden box inside, weighed it in his hands, and suspicions arose from his heart as the small box was heavy. His face turned cold and stony; he stood up and carried the box inside to look for Yang Dalang.
“Look at this.” Miao He handed the suspicious box to Yang Dalang. “Sent by the Liang Family.”
Although painful, Dalang’s face was devoid of pain as he reached out, took the box, and placed it on his lap. The small wooden box had a tiny latch that secured the inside from pouring out at unpredictable times. He clicked the mechanism open, revealing the ambiguous contents before them. Soft, almost velvety fabric lined the inside of the box, sheltering the neatly stacked pieces of twenty taels of silver that seemed to glow even with dim lighting. In response to the lives of the furen and the gongzi of the Liang family, it may be a bit lacking, but under the silvers pressed three land deeds within.
Yang Dalang’s eyes shook, recognizing the words written in the papers. He may not know how to write, he could identify the frequently used words.
“Where is the land? Is it too valuable?” Although Miao He had stayed in this world for some time now, he did not know the location of the land titles.
“One is a hilltop in the village’s southwest. The other two are fields outside the town.”
“Mountain top?! You mean—an entire mountain?!” Miao He’s eyes widened as he stared at the papers unblinking, then shifting to Dalang’s calm ones in slow motion.
“Just a small seat1,” Dalang said, a slight smile in his eyes as he gazed at the adorable ones of his ger.
Miao He gaped at him. He spent a few seconds fumbling through words and said, “The fields are easy to understand, but gifting a hill… for hunting?”
Yang Dalang became silent. Gears spun on the head pretty fast as he pondered about this matter. His eyes met Miao He’s now calm ones and shared his speculation.
It should stand to reason that there were quite a few people who sold pieces of land in Miaojia Village, and one of those lands’ titles had already presented itself in their own hands. The Liang family wanted to give their fields for a while; they could only offer those situated outside the town; hence, the lands’ locations. In the landlord’s family, it was nearly impossible and challenging to cultivate the ground by themselves. After all, say that the land was rented, the journey probably took lots of hours to reach it, just so they could collect the rent. It could only add a few taels in the income for a year after deducting the tax.
Perhaps the Liang family added the hill nearby the Miaojia Village just to make up for it. Mountains and fields were different; basically, no one in the right mind had the nerve to buy them, and since their taxes were pretty low, too. But if someone had the money to pay for it, then they must sell it! This could be the case why the Liang family simply purchased the mountaintop closest to Yang Dalang’s house and sent it over as a gift.
“It’s tough to understand rich people.” Miao He sighed, “Should we accept it? So many places.”
“Accept. People will not be at ease if you don’t,” Yand Dalang said.
When Miao He heard the words, he agreed it was only suitable to accept them. If they gave it away, it would only show that they were belittling those gifts that the Liang family gave out of gratitude. Miao He was afraid of receiving the ridicule of the villagers since he was not only appealing to himself but Dalang too. Compared to the landlords, their lives were worth little. With the heavy and magnanimous gifts, they held evidence that safeguarded the Liang Family not turning their backs on Miao He.
“Then, when your injury heals, I will go to town and transfer ownership of the title deeds,” said Miao He, carefully tucking the wooden box away.
Around this time, Yang Datong’s voice was heard shouting at their door. He kept true to his words and thoughtfully brought the recliner to their house.
The heavy chair frame originally was a thick timber that underwent lots of carvings, sawing, sanding, and polishing by the skillful hands of Datong in less than a day. Dalang’s brother worked hard last night and seemed to only have a couple of hours of sleep because of the bags under his eyes. It did not affect his enthusiasm at all, as he transported the heavy frame to his cousin’s home.
The sweaty Yang Datong asked where he should assemble it. The room held little space for the recliner, Miao He thought. Yang Dalang glanced at his ger, then to his cousin, and expressed his opinion as he pointed to the stove’s location in the backyard.
There was sunshine in the morning and shade in the afternoon; both stove and backyard could be seen again if placed there. Those spots were Miao He did most of his activities, Dalang would see them all. After a momentary pause, Miao He nodded.
After Yang Datong nailed the wooden chair, it looked like the reclining chair in Miao He’s world. The slope of the chair’s back was slanted enough to accommodate Yang Dalang to stay seated up. Dalang rested steadily on top, felt more comfortable than him bending down to get off the bed yesterday.
Second Aunt Yang also deliberately dismantled an old cotton-padded jacket, hurried out to complete a set of chair cushions by hand last night for Dalang to feel snug when lying down. With such care, no wonder Yang Dalang respected his aunt so much.
When everything was assembled, Yang Dalang settled down on the cushioned chair; the creases between his brows smoothed out instantly. Miao He felt elated when he saw this and had the urge to tease. “From now on, you are promoted to lao ye¹.”
As his hands caressed the handle, Yang Dalang praised earnestly, “Very comfortable.”
Yang Datong scratched his head, red creeping upon his neck, and said with a smile tugging on his lips, “I tried it last night and felt good. In the future, I could have one at home and put it under the tree to feel as cozy as my dage3.”
Miao He had an idea and said, “There are more designs of comfortable chairs; Dalang is injured right now, so it’s inconvenient to sit. You can try changing the legs of this chair to this shape, which is curved, and the back connected like this. In this way, the chair would rock while you sit.” Miao He drew a simple image on the floor as a guide.
Yang Datong had a fair share of building furniture; he made out the knack at once. “Ah, you can also do this? I haven’t seen this kind of chair yet—won’t I turn over?”
“Maybe it depends on the carpentry skill.” Miao He pretended to be confused. “I’ve never seen one. If you can build it, then it’s likely to become a new business.”
Upon the new idea from Miao He, Datong’s eyes shined with impatientness to try it. “Yes. My master must not have known such a chair based on what he thought of me. I will try it when I return. If it turned out great, then I’ll definitely send one to sister-in-law after!”
Leaving a few more words, Yang Datong walked out of their door with a joyous heart. After his cousin went, sure enough, Dalang’s eyes carried a trace of inquiry.
Miao He touched his nose subconsciously and spoke first, “You just stay here as I show something you’ll eventually discover, which I also used to take care of your injury. Understand?”
Yang Dalang stayed still and furrowed. “What?”
“Just watch.”
When he felt he had emphasized his intention, Miao He went to the stove and took out a small cloth bag with seeds. His heart was full of uncertainty as he headed to the edge of the soil. Miao He sucked in a quiet breath, picked up the fastest-growing cabbage seed, and planted it.
Yang Dalang followed Miao He with wary eyes—the latter stood still after planting the cabbage seed and kept his eyes fixed on the ground before his feet. With his actions shouted weird, the suspicions of the former intensified more, and he couldn’t help followed Miao He’s target of sight.
The earth that freshly buried a vegetable seed, a tiny sprout, drew out the surface as time passed!
That soon followed by tender leaves! The young leaves seemed to be under a spell as they grew, stretched, and unfolded at speed, visible to the naked eye!
In a blink of an eye, a lustrous, healthy cabbage sprung up out of bare earth!
Upon seeing this miraculous growth, Yang Dalang’s expression morphed in marvel, and he tried to sit up despite the pain. “This—this is…you….”
Horrified, Miao He shook both his head and hands hastily, as he whitewashed himself, “I didn’t make it. This piece of land is magical! Whatever you plant in it, it sure will bloom at lightning speed. Other vegetables I grow are normal. I can let you see it for yourself!”
Finishing his disclaimer, Miao He felt his energy dropping as he took a breath from his in haste talking. He was still unused to fabricating things in front of Dalang especially, when the truth may come out unpredictable. He first plucked a leaf from the plant, and soon, another vegetable leaf twisted and unfurled back from the plucked side. As if no yanking had happened.
Miao He then walked up a few steps further in the small field, spotted his target, and did his deed. A few days ago, this cabbage had reached its prime peak and looked exactly like the other cabbages. He picked off a leaf, held it in his hand, as he remained still outside, and screamed inside. Minutes of waiting passed. The ripped side did not grow a new leaf like the previous one.
“See, it’s just there. You—ai! Don’t get too excited. Take your time.” His speech deviated halfway when he saw Yang Dalang struggling to get up and hurried over to support.
Perhaps it was the work of injury, but Yang Dalang’s complexion turned pale in pain. He couldn’t help leaning back down instead. But, his hand firmly caught hold of Miao He and said, “Really?”
Miao He couldn’t help feeling guilty and nimbly avoided his gaze. “Just—that’s all.”
This was Miao He’s plan. He opted to share this matter with Dalang, but as long as he did not draw the magic on himself, who would have thought the magic on the grounds had something to do with him? Optimistic Miao He thought to himself.
Yang Dalang, in contrast, felt a dull ache in his chest. “Will you leave? Tell me honestly.”
“Leave? For what reason should I leave?” This was not what Miao had expected at all.
“Yang Dalang squeezed his hand tighter and the knuckles whiter. “I’m not interested in that gods’ work, I ask you, will you leave?”
Miao He gaped at him, dumbfounded.
‘… So, he still reveals his stuff, ah. Why?’
“Miao He, will you?!” Yang Dalang was anxious by the motionless ger.
Miao He broke out from his stupor and shook his head in intuition. “No. Where shall I go?”
“If you won’t, then you’ll stay?!”
When he heard Yang Dalang’s asked again, Miao He realized this was indeed freaked-out.
He thought through from the beginning—Yang Dalang thought he was ‘mystifying’ and inquired if he would leave. Did he think he was a god? Miao He did not know whether to laugh or cry.
But considering it again, the keyed-up person in front of him thought he couldn’t walk by himself alone. The matters of soil seemed to have little importance when Miao He left. And Dalang’s focus was concentrated on Miao He being a god. Then and there, Miao He felt that Yang Dalang’s ancient-related thoughts were adorable.
With his heart heating, Miao He couldn’t help replying, “I-I am your ger. Naturally, I won’t leave you.”
Yang Dalang’s orbs gaze at Miao He with such scorching depth, “Good! You promised.”
Miao He repeatedly nodded, appeasing the worried man in front of him, still wanting to remedy it.
“But I’m really not a god, so let go of that idea. Otherwise, why would you sustain such injuries? And even I was hurt? Also, when I grow wrinkles, you’ll know that I am human and not a god, and that piece of land has nothing to do with me! I just discovered it by accident, and look, I’m standing far from the field, yet isn’t it still right there—”
As he spoke in haste, a faint flush of light was enough for them to pause and stare at the specific place. A small lump of soil emerged from Miao He’s palm!
Yang Dalang pulled his hand closer, and the innocent ball of soil was magnified enough to see its dense throughs.
Miao He: “…”
Yang Dalang: “……”
Seeing that Yang Dalang’s expression was about to change again, Miao He quickly hugged Yang Dalang’s head. “If you don’t drive me away, then I won’t leave!”
Although bewildered, Yang Dalang raised both hands and reciprocated to embrace his ger regardless of the pain.
Footnotes:
[1] lao ye means master or like the head of the family
